Artistic Director, Adam Hemming, chats to Elin Doyle, writer and performer of the show GUINEA PIGS. We discuss how to kill a play, silenced history of nuclear testing in Britain, moral injury and why we need a laugh when we're hurting, in advance of the run of GUINEA PIGS at the Space (playing 4th - 8th October, including a livestream on the 7th and on demand access for two weeks after that).
“If Russia drops The Bomb on us, is that what it would be like, if it happens to us?”
“I suppose it would. We’d all be vapourised. But there’s that new man, Gorbachev, seems to have his head screwed on…”
It’s the 1980s. Coral O’Malley is discovering feminism, pacifism and Duran Duran. She’s a chip off the old block of her beloved dad, Gerry. Only he’s fighting a battle of his own with the British government over that time they dropped a nuclear bomb on him. And then there’s the small matter of the school public speaking competition…
The true story of Britain’s last great cover-up, GUINEA PIGS is a semi-autobiographical comedy/drama by actor and writer Elin Doyle, whose father served at the hydrogen bomb tests on Christmas Island in 1957.
Whilst highlighting the plight of Britain’s forgotten nuclear test veterans, GUINEA PIGS is also a coming-of-age story about a young woman trying to work out what kind of person she wants to be. It’s about intergenerational love and conflict, a celebration of the power of women and a reminder that we all have a voice.
You can find out more about the Space, connect with us on the socials and see what's coming up at www.space.org.uk
Find out more about Elin Doyle by following them on twitter: @elindoyle
Find out about GUINEA PIGS the Play: https://www.guineapigstheplay.com
Or on Instagram: @guineapigstheplay
Theme Music: Monsieur Miaow by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Edit credit: Stephanie Schreiter
